Ramadhan Prep

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With Ramadhan around the corner, I'm starting to panic I haven't done anything to prepare for it.

Please share what your prep includes and any food recipes you may have!

Thanks in advance xx

If it makes you feel any better, apart from some pastries I did over the weekend, I haven't done much either. I have seen lots of people online making I think it's called half moons. They look delicious and I want to have a go but I'm not sure my culinary skills stretch that far 😅

I'm going to try to have a healthy diet this year and cut back on the fried/oily food, let's see how long that lasts.

Oh we have half moons from back home too but I've never been keen on them because of the texture of it. It is nice though.

Last year we mainly did fruits and dates and then a main.

Not done any prep yet! 🙈 Need to do meal planning, bulk do pakora and bhaji, get outfits organised...

DC has started joining me for prayers so insha'Allah we can do some together this year. DH often does itikaaf so will need to check if he's planning to do that this year or not.

No prep here. I tend to try and bulk make masala and freeze in large ice cubes but not even been able to do that as the baby is entering the toddler phase and just into everything!

I usually prep about 15 meals and freeze, some curries, some marinated meats etc. Get them out in the morning to defrost so all I have to do when I get back from work is pop into oven and make rice/salad. We don't usually have all the fried stuff, perhaps just a couple of times during Ramadan. Normally break fast with fruits and then have a regular meal. I need to clear out my freezer over the next couple of weeks to get ready for Ramadan

I also try and do all Eid gift/clothes shopping before Ramadan too to free up more time for ibaadah

@peanutcookie great idea! I need to get a new outfit for DS.
Found some lovely silver moon necklaces online for SIL and MIL ❤️

Went to our masjid's Ramadhan Bazaar this weekend and got sweets/chocolates for people, dates, little gifts. We've got some meal planning and iftars sorted. Still to do: Eid clothes for me and DC, booking for activities, Eid gifts for DC.

That sounds lovely @Scirocco , how are you doing? I’ve decorated last week as we are away now and then back to school/reality from Monday. I can’t believe Ramadan is here. Even though it’s not same time of the year, I’m getting so many memories of the Ramadan before my mum died and it all is emotional but I’m looking forward to the positivity it will bring inshallah.

Thanks @TakeMe2Insanity - I'm really struggling at the moment but trying to not let it show for DC.

It is generally so hard with the world at the moment, but given what you’ve shared over the past 15months all I can do is make dua that you continue to be strong and calm as you have been.

JazakAllah khair. May this Ramadhan bring us all some peace and healing. I certainly don't feel strong and calm, but thank you for thinking I come across that way. I'm trying to hold things together but inside I feel broken.

If it makes you feel better i intend to prepare every year. Never do though!!!

We are working on less is more. Porridge and fruit for suhoor and then just a normal dinner in the evening unless we have guests then more of an effort.

Asalam ladies sorry I've not been on here much. Life is so busy atm and tbh what I read on here (Citme) is just too upsetting so I've just stayed away.

@Scirocco that sounds so lovely! In Sha Allah this Ramadhan brings you healing in ways you cannot imagine. But I agree, you always seem so calm and collected.

@TakeMe2Insanity I'm sorry for the loss of your mum, looking towards to the positives of Ramadan will help and comfort you. Hope you're enjoying your time away!

@Reallyyyyyy that's my sentiments for this year too. Less is more. Simple suhr and dinner for iftaar along with fruits and dates mid week and weekends I can do a bit more food. Definitely easier.

I'm yet to decorate, I've got bits from last year but I also just spent a small fortune ordering more to top up. I probably won't keep them all but we'll see. I've got kids Eid clothes sorted and maybe mine. But still do gifts for everyone.

This week is mission get the house clean and decorate.

Definitely easier now that the days are smaller, its definitely easier to eat normally.

The only thing i prep is breads we use. And the rest I will batch cook in the weeks ahead.
I keep my evenings free but work hard and serve the family in the day. Cooking is an ibbadah also so I dont see it as wasting time.

Ramadhan Kareem to you all and your families. May Allah make it a blessed month for you, your sins forgiven and all your duahs accepted. Ameen x

Ramadan Kareem! Inshallah all our duas are answered and our ibadah accepted.

Ameen to all the duas
Ramadhan kareem ✨️

Ramadan Mubarak.

How's everyone's first fast going today? Assuming you're starting today as I know some places observe it another day

We went out to look for the moon, my DD said she's sure she saw it but I couldn't see anything 😂
It's our first fast today, went to sleep really late after suhoor and my 1 year old woke up half an hour later. Lesson learnt for tomorrow!

Hope you have been well.

There's a ramadhan stay and learn session in the masjid this afternoon, the older two will be going there which they are excited about as all their madrasah friends are going. The Quran cube is playing in the background too so really feels like ramadhan Alhamdulillah

@Parkingt111 that sounds amazing - wish they did something like that where we are but there's only a small Muslim community here so we just about have a mosque to go to. Is that something they do everyday?

If it makes you feel better, my 2 year old woke up twice - once when I was eating and another when I was praying and crying bless her. Managed to get a couple hours in before the kids went to madrasah.

My 2 older ones are fasting today Alhamdulillah and my 6 year old is fasting from breakfast til lunch time! She was eager to fast!

As I've been awful at meal prep I've got to make cakes for iftaar tonight!